When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. They said to him, “See now, we have fifty strong men among your servants; please let them go and seek your master; it may be that the spirit of the Lord has caught him up and thrown him down on some mountain or into some valley.” He responded, “No, do not send them.” But when they urged him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him. When they came back to him (he had remained at Jericho), he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” ~ 2 Kings 2:15-18
And just like that, Elisha has the confidence he needs.
He has crossed the Jordan - literally, and figuratively.
As he has crossed, he ceased to be Elisha the student, the protege. Now he is Elisha the prophet.
It takes others longer to realize this. As much as these other prophets knew the time was coming, they were hesitant to completely give Elisha the respect he was due.
Maybe it was because they knew him as a kid. Or just as a student. Whatever it was, they were having a hard time giving Elisha the respect he was due.
Elisha let them nag him until he couldn't take it anymore. If they weren't ready to respect him, he was going to show them that they needed to.
Sometimes we come around to the authority a person has, and sometimes we don't. As we cross our own Jordan to a life with a new pastor begins soon at Grace Lutheran Church, how will we support their call?
What are the expectations you have of a new pastor?
What are the ways you can personally help support their call?
Holy One, helps me to support the ministries of those whom you have called. Amen